Sharif alleged that during what he described as an 87-hour conflict, Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and destroyed several drones. He said the Pakistani army acted with national resolve and credited public prayers for what he termed a military success. India has not acknowledged any such losses and has consistently denied Pakistan’s claims.
The Pakistani prime minister linked his remarks to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed. India has blamed Pakistan-backed terrorist groups for the attack, a charge Islamabad has denied, instead calling for an international investigation.
Sharif’s comments came amid heightened diplomatic tensions at the United Nations. On Tuesday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, sharply criticised Pakistan at the Security Council, describing it as a “hub of terrorism” and linking its internal political instability to sustained cross-border violence. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and accused Pakistan of misusing international platforms to push a divisive agenda.
India also highlighted its military response following the Pahalgam attack. Under what it termed “Operation Sindoor,” Indian forces carried out airstrikes on May 7 targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, claiming to have eliminated over 100 militants. Subsequent strikes on May 9 and 10 reportedly targeted multiple Pakistani airbases and command facilities.
Sharif has made similar assertions earlier, including at the UN General Assembly, where he claimed Pakistan had downed Indian aircraft during past escalations. Indian officials have dismissed these statements as false and aimed at domestic and international audiences.
The exchange reflects a continuing cycle of military claims and counterclaims between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, underscoring persistent tensions driven by terrorism, territorial disputes, and diplomatic confrontation.
